Pregnancy care options are discussed with you at your first appointment and a model of care is chosen based on individual assessment and needs. The primary model of care may change during your pregnancy due to ongoing assessment and changing needs.

Midwifery Group Practice (MGP) is made up of small teams of midwives who practice in pairs and provide maternity care throughout your pregnancy, labour, birth and the early parenting period. The MGP option for pregnancy care allows you to go home sooner after your baby’s birth (4-6 hours). Your midwife will visit you at home up to two weeks after the birth of your baby.

MGP is a popular option chosen by women; you may need to be placed on the MGP waiting list.

Homebirth is a Medicare funded program offered for women with an uncomplicated pregnancy. Homebirth is

a natural extension of Midwifery Group Practice (MGP), described above, where

you are allocated your known and backup midwife. Due to the programs overwhelming reputation and success Western Health’s homebirth program has become a popular pregnancy care option for women wishing to birth at home. If a place in the Homebirth program is not available due to demand, you may have the option of being cared for within the MGP program.

KMS at Western Health is part of MGP (described above) and facilitates access to culturally safe pregnancy, labour & birth and postnatal care for up to two weeks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.Shared Care can also be arranged with the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) or your General Practitioner.KMS is supported by a dedicated Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) to assist in meeting your individual requirements.

Shared Maternity Care is a model of care which allows you to have the majority of your pregnancy care visits in your local community with an accredited general practitioner (GP). Western Health currently has no community midwives affiliated to provide this service. Shared maternity care aims to provide care in the community that considers all of your needs in a safe and culturally appropriate way. Women often choose this model as it provides care from consistent caregivers, convenience and they have an existing relationship with their GP.

Your family GP can confirm your pregnancy, recommend your blood tests and ultrasound and refer you to Sunshine Hospital for the birth of your baby.

You will be referred to one of our specialist clinics if you and/or your baby require specialist care during your pregnancy. Sometimes your care can be shared between the specialist doctors and your midwife. Referral to a Specialist Clinic may occur for you if you have:

a multiple pregnancy· a previous complicated pregnancy

a pre-existing medical condition such as blood pressure, diabetes or a thyroid problem